How Did I Become an F1 Driver?

Chapter 1201: Chapter 454: Inviting the Gods

Qin Miao brought his two talismans to the spot where the team staff usually smoked.

At this moment, there was hardly anyone there. It was the eve of the race, and the technicians and strategy team were the busiest, so naturally, no one was hanging around.

Qin Miao directly lit his two talismans in the ashtray. Although he didn’t know the Daoist rituals, he knew it wasn’t done with palms together. The only gesture he was familiar with was the Daoist fist and palm salute.

So, after lighting the two talismans, Qin Miao bowed his hands roughly in the direction of his homeland.

Just as Qin Miao finished his third bow and stood up, a sudden clap of thunder echoed across the sky. He didn’t pay much attention to it; after all, it’s common for it to thunder during rainy days.

Anyway, with all these supernatural rituals done, it was time for the pre-race parade.

Qin Miao felt a bit more at ease, or rather, he reached a sense of calm having done everything he could at this stage.

Returning to the team’s area and changing into his racing suit, Qin Miao headed to the track for assembly.

Because it was raining today, the driver parade was changed to take place on a covered truck with open sides.

After the driver parade ended, the final preparations before the race began.

This week, Qin Miao continued to use the high downforce setup, with both the front wing and rear wing adjusted for high resistance.

But as it was going to rain heavily throughout the race, despite finding a suitable setup on Saturday, Qin Miao adjusted the front wing’s setting before the race, increasing the attack angle to maximum.

Logically, Reyes and Frankie would remind Qin Miao that such significant adjustments to the car’s setup would change the car’s dynamics significantly, affecting both handling and aerodynamics.

But everyone knew Qin Miao’s extraordinary control and adaptability, so they didn’t say much about it, leaving Qin Miao to modify the car as he pleased.

However, Qin Miao was caught off guard when, after finishing the adjustments and arriving on the track with the team staff, the rain had lightened.

During the playing of the host country’s national anthem, the rain stopped entirely.

Qin Miao had to ask Barber to revert the front wing adjustments before the anthem ceremony began.

When the national anthem of this complicated place played, both Qin Miao and Zhou Guanyu naturally did not look pleased.

Zhou Guanyu looked slightly better, but Qin Miao was visibly scowling the whole time.

In a rare moment of disrespect for a foreign national anthem, Qin Miao didn’t even remove his cap, swaying lazily as if everyone owed him money.

Hamilton was surprised to see Qin Miao’s actions since he wasn’t like this before. Was he feeling unwell today?

Qin Miao didn’t explain anything, nor did he care if his behavior affected his fan base in Japan.

After all, this wasn’t Qin Miao’s main support base.

With the anthem over, Qin Miao returned to his car.

At this point, Reyes had restored the front wing to its initial setting.

Confirming the car was back to its initial setup, Qin Miao suddenly saw Zhou Guanyu passing by.

For today’s race, both Chinese drivers started on the side closer to the pit lane, hence the same route.

"Old Zhou," Qin Miao called Zhou Guanyu to stop.

"What is it?" Zhou Guanyu paused, slightly puzzled.

Though there was still some time before the race began, there was plenty to do, so why stop him now?

Nearby spectators saw the same gesture Binotto made to Leclerc during this season’s British Grand Prix.

"We’ve known each other for a while, I’ve taught you a lot without asking for tuition or compensation, but today I need a favor," Qin Miao said.

Zhou Guanyu was more confused. What’s up with Qin Miao today? Taking advantage of past favors? Qin Miao wasn’t like this, and Zhou Guanyu didn’t think he could help Qin Miao on the track.

"Tell me about it, let me see if I can do it."

Qin Miao nodded: "After the race, it doesn’t matter if you don’t score points, but I have one request: you can’t finish behind Tsunoda today." Qin Miao stated.

Zhou Guanyu: ...

"I’ll try my best."

Qin Miao shook his head: "No trying your best, you must do it!"

Zhou Guanyu still somewhat perplexed, looked at Qin Miao’s determined expression, and ultimately promised: "Although I don’t know why you’re doing this, I’ll make sure it happens!"

Seeing Zhou Guanyu agree, Qin Miao didn’t continue the conversation.